Random Acts of Kindness Day: What It Is + 5 Ways to Celebrate

Random Acts of Kindness Day is a reminder of something we all know but often forget: small, thoughtful gestures can make a big difference. Here are 5 ways to celebrate – and why you’ll want to. 

Celebrated each year on February 17, Random Acts of Kindness Day encourages people to pause, look outward and do something kind – not because it’s required, but because it’s human. Whether it’s a message of appreciation, a simple thank you or a small gift, kindness has a way of rippling far beyond the moment itself.

What is Random Acts of Kindness Day?

Random Acts of Kindness Day began as a grassroots movement focused on spreading positivity through everyday actions. The best part? There’s no set rulebook, no expectations and no pressure – you get to choose how you want to show kindness.

Acts can be:

• Small or big
• Planned or spontaneous
• For friends, colleagues, family or strangers

The goal isn’t perfection – it’s connection.

Research consistently shows that kindness benefits both the giver and the receiver. Acts of kindness have been proven to: 

• Boost mood and reduce stress
• Strengthen relationships
• Improve workplace morale
• Foster a sense of belonging

In workplaces especially, kindness helps build cultures where employee appreciation matters – something that’s increasingly important in remote and hybrid environments. Feeling seen and appreciated helps people feel safer, more connected and more motivated, especially in fast-paced or high-pressure environments. A single act of kindness can remind someone that they matter, that their effort is noticed and that they’re not alone.

Even small gestures – a thoughtful message, a thank-you card or a simple acknowledgment – can trigger the release of “feel-good” chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin, which are linked to improved mood and reduced anxiety. Yep, kindness really is science. 

Need a little inspo? We’ve got you. Here are 5 ways to show a little compassion this Random Acts of Kindness Day. 

1. Send a Message of Appreciation

Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is say what often goes unsaid. A heartfelt message thanking someone for their support, reliability or positivity can genuinely brighten their day. You don’t need the wittiest words or Shakespeare-approved lines – just genuine gratitude.

With GroupTogether, you can easily collect messages from multiple people into one shared card – turning a simple note into a meaningful moment of appreciation.

2. Pair Kind Words with a Small Gift

Kindness doesn’t have to be extravagant. A small, flexible gift – like an eGift Card – can be a thoughtful way to say “I’m thinking of you.” GroupTogether makes this easy by allowing you to add an AnyCard to your message, giving the recipient the freedom to choose what they love most.

3. Celebrate Someone as a Group

Kindness is even more powerful when it’s shared. Whether it’s thanking a colleague, recognizing a team member with a card or surprising a friend with a lunch, group gestures show people they’re appreciated by more than one person.

Pro tip: With GroupTogether, you can invite unlimited contributors, making it simple to organize a collective act of kindness without the logistics headache.

4. Spread Kindness Across Distance

Random Acts of Kindness Day doesn’t require being in the same room – or even the same country. Digital cards make it easy to reach remote teammates, long-distance friends or family members you don’t see every day. Just because your business is remote and hybrid, doesn’t mean you have to miss out of Random Acts of Kindness Day! 

GroupTogether’s beautifully presented digital cards ensure your kindness still feels personal and memorable, wherever they are in the world.

5. Buy Coffee for a Stranger

Because kindness is better when it’s unexpected (and caffeinated). This Random Acts of Kindness Day, shout a coffee for someone you don’t even know – the person behind you in line, a delivery driver or that colleague who looks like they’re running on empty. It’s a small gesture, but it has a big ripple effect. One free coffee can turn a rough morning around, spark a smile and remind someone that strangers can be surprisingly lovely. Plus, if it inspires them to pay it forward? Even better.

Why GroupTogether Is the Perfect Way to Celebrate

Random Acts of Kindness Day is about thoughtful connection, and that’s exactly what GroupTogether is built for. With GroupTogether, you can.

• Bring multiple messages together in one meaningful card
• Add a flexible eGift Card without awkward money-chasing
• Include everyone, no matter where they’re located
• Create a keepsake that feels more special than a quick message

It turns kindness into something shared, without losing the spontaneity that makes it meaningful. 

While Random Acts of Kindness Day comes once a year, the impact of kindness lasts much longer. A few thoughtful words, a shared message or a small gesture can leave someone feeling appreciated well beyond the day itself. Whether you’re celebrating at work, with friends or within your community, GroupTogether makes it easy to turn kind intentions into moments people will remember. 

Start a thoughtful group card today. 

Meet the experts

Melissa Evans

Content Writer

Ali + Julie

Co-Founders, GroupTogether.

Life’s busy. That’s why we’re here to make it easy for you to collect money from a group. Less wasted time, less packaging waste, and spending a little less but giving a lot better!